Acetylene-gas apparatus.



A. MESSER.

AGETYLENE GAS APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 1mm 29,1911.

1 1-6339., Patented Dec.14,1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

A MESSER.

ACETYLEVNE GAS APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29.1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Dec. 14, 1915.

UNITED srrnrrns FATEW ora ion.

I ADOLF MESSEE, 0F FMNKFORT-ON-THE-DIAIN, GERMANY.

. ACETYLmlE-GAS APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Anonr MESSER, a. subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing in the city of Frankfort-on-the-Main, Empire of Germany, have invented certaln new and useful Improvements in Acetylene-Gas Apparatus, of which the following is av full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to an apparatus for the manufacture of acetylene gas by feeding calcium carbid into water, the supply of carbid thereto being automatically controlled by the volume of the gas generated.

My invention relates to improvements in an acetylene gas generator of the gasometer type, in which a bell or gas tank issuspended in and sealed by the water therein.

@ne of the particular objects of my invention is to provide a carbid holder or receptacle which may be readily removed from the apparatus for refilling or cleansing without disturbing any other portion of the ap paratus or its operation.

A further object of my inventlon is to provide means whereby the feed of the carbid from the removableholder is controlled and the same is uniformly fed therefrom automatically by the generated gas within the gasometer bell.

These and other objects and advantages will manifest themselves from a reading of the following specification.

In the accompanying drawings T have illustrated one preferable embodiment of my invention having it understood that ll do not limit myself to the details of construction shown and described, as the same may be varied or altered without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in vertical section of an apparatus embodying the subject of my in.

vention. Fig. 2 1s a view in elevation of the removable carbid receptacle. Figs. 3 and 4 are illustrations partly in section showing the connecting device of the divided valve closing rod, and Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view in enlarged detail of a controlling means for regulating and controlling the discharge of carbid fromthe carbid receptacle. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the carbid holder taken near the base to show the structure of the gas outlet 7 looking toward said outlet from the left-hand side of Fig. 1.

In detail the apparatus comprises an outer receptacle or container 1, which con- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. lid, 11915.

Application filed June 29, 1911. Serial Ito. 636,1lll.

tains the gas generating and storage apparatus. The tank 1 is provided with a bottom 1 which is at a slant or incline as shown, for the purpose of providing means tending 'to cause the residuary products or sludge to accumulate atthe lowermost portion of the tank where it can readily be drawn ofi through the valve controlled outlet 1". Partly disposed within receptacle 1 and suitably fastened thereto is an auxiliary tank 3 of less diameter. A hell 2 is suspended in the latter tank as shown. A rod 2 rigidly fastened to the bottom of the tank 3 and centrally located with respect to the same is provided for the purpose of maintaining the bell in alined position with the other parts of the apparatus and serves as a guide permitting the bell to rise and lower in a vertical direction. The bell is provided with a guide sleeve 2 which surrounds the guide rod 2 to efiect this. Fastened to the bottom of the tank 3 and projecting vertically within the bell 2 is a tubular member 8 open at the bottom and vented at the top as shown. This tubular member serves as a passage for the generated gas from the generator chamber to the storage chamber within the bell and also serves as a guide for the valve operating mechanism as will be presently understood.

5 indicates a removable carbid holder which when in position is suspended within the tank 1 detachably supported to the tank 3 by means of a hook 4 attached to the carbid holder which is adapted to engage a fixed bar or member i on the side of the tank 3. A handle 20 is provided for the convenience of handling the carbid holder. The lower portion of the carbid holder is provided with a pair of springs 6 which engage the lowermost edge of the tank 3 as the carbid holder is swung into position.

carbid retaining chamber having a sloping or inclined bottom as at 5*, is provided with an opening which is controlled by a preferably conical valve 10 which admits, when operating, of a certain uniform dis charge of the carbid according to the amount of gas generated. To control the operation of this valve I provide a float indicated at 9, which is suspended within the hell 2 and surrounds the tubular member 8 and is guided in its upward and downward movement by the latter. This float is provided with suitable openings, at 9 for the passage of the generated gas. Fastened to the upper portion of this float and depending centrally through the tubular member 8 is a rod 9, the lower portion of this rod being bent at right angle to provide an arm 11 which extends to and beneath the carbid container or holder. The arm 11 is provided with an upturned end which engages the depending valve rod 13 of the gravity valve and serves to close the valve when the float 9 10 rises as the generated gas increases.

To insure a constant supply of gas and regulate the supply or quantity of carbid falling into the developing water upon the opening of the valve 10, 1 provide a mem- 15 ber of a ring or funnel shaped formation, mounted below the carbid discharge orifice and adjacent thereto. It will be noted that the upper portion of this member consists of a rim 15, whichis concentric with the valve 10, the diameter of this rim being approximately twice that of the base of the conical valve 10. The distance between the upper edge of this rim 15 and the carbid discharge orifice is a little more than onehalf of the approximate height of the valve 10. Therefore, when the volume of gas within the container is below normal, which will cause the unseating of the valve 10, as hereinafter set forth, the latter will move so downwardly by gravity, opening the discharge orifice, whereupon the carbid will drop through the funnel member into the water, where the gas is generated, resulting in the generation of the gas. As the gas ,35 generated approaches the normal volume, the

bell gradually rises and moves the valve 10 upwardly until the normal volume is reached, when the valve is seated and closes the discharge orifice of the carbid container. The valve 10 then remains seated, until the volume of the gas within the container is again diminished, when the operation just described will again take place, this operation being constantly repeated.

4 An inverted hood 17 is provided to pre-- vent water from splashing or reaching the rim 15 or the valve 10 in the case of extreme generation of gas. The funnel shaped ring is supported in the lower portion of the carbid tank 5 by. means of a hollow tubular member 14 which also serves as a guide for the valve rod 13, the upper end of this tubular member serving as a stop to limit the downward movement of the valve 10, for the purposes heretofore described.

On the lower extremity of the carbid holder is provided a bottom 16 which is threaded into the holder or is otherwise detachably secured thereto and by means of which the interior of the carbid holder is made accessible for the removal of'the valve mechanism and to effect the refilling of the holder.

From the foregoing the operation of the H apparatus as thus far described will be apparent. Assuming that there is suflicient gas in the bell to cause the partsto be in the position shown in Fig. 1, the valve being maintained in closed position under the influence of the float 9 which is held in the posltion shown in said figure by its inherent buoyancy and the volume of gas within thetubular member 8 and the chamber 9 of the float. As the gas is being drawn off through outlet 2 the bell will descend, gradually and engage with the head of the float 9 and by its continued downward movement will press the float in a like direction overcoming its inherent buoyancy, whereby the extension 12 of the rod 9" will be lowered and permit the valve 10 to descend by gravity opening the orifice of the carbid holder and permitting the carbid to drop into the water in the chamber below. As soon as the carbid begins to disintegrate the gas then 35 formed. or created passes through outlet 7 up through the-tubular member 8 into chamber 9 of the float, from thence through outlets 9 into storage space in the bell 2. As the volume of this gas increases, the bell rises permitting the float to rise and effect the closing of the valve. Of course, the operation of this valve is entirely dependent upon the pressure and quantitvof generated gas stored within the hell. if demand on 5 the gas supply is slight, a slight opening of the valve will take place to permit the proper amount of carbid to fall into the water below to generate enough gas to make up for the amount of gas being drawn ofl. Should however, extraordinary demands be made. on the gas supply, a corresponding greater movement of the valve will take place. That is to say, should the stored up gas be reduced in such quantity as to cause the bell and float to descend a considerable distance or such distance that will permit the valve to descend until it rests within the rim 15, a considerable quantity of the carbid will fall and be arrested in its descent by the rim, a portion of the descending carbid falling over the rim and descending into the water of the chamber below. When sufficient gas has been created to force the bell-upwardly by the upward movement of the float the valve will also be forced upwardly, permitting the quantity of carbid stacked and arrested by the rim 15, to then be discharged into the water and sufficient gas is generated thereby to provide considerable service before it will be necessary for the valve to again operate.

In order to prevent the valve from opening when the removable carbid holder is taken out of the apparatus I provide a two- 12 part rod 18 comprising the upper and lower sections 18 and 18", respectively, the upper section having a jaw member formed at its end in which the lower section 18 is freely movable (see Figs. 2, 3 and 4) said upper section terminating in a handle portion 19, said handle portion being adjacent to the carrying handle 20, so that both handles may be grasped together. The lower portion of the two-part rod is connected with the valve rod 13 and when the apparatus is operating this lower part of the rod is free to rise and fall independent of the upper portion thereof.

Having thus described my. invention I claim:

1. In an acetylene as generator, the combination with a tanli having a bell, of a carbid receptacle provided with a discharge outlet and adapted to be removably suspended in the tank, a valve for controlling the passage of the carbid through said outlet, means positioned beneath said discharge outlet and adjacent thereto, and embodying a rim adapted to cooperate with said valve under predetermined conditions for delivering the carbid for development, a float within the bell and adapted to be engaged thereby and means carried by said float and arranged to actuate said valve upon the movement of said float.

2. In an acetylene gas generator, the combination with a carbid receptacle embodying a carbid reservoir provided with an orifice in its bottom, a conical valve for closing such orifice, an upwardly flaring ring located below the valve and in such a position that it will cooperate with said valve when this is open, to deliver a charge for effecting a movement of the gasometer hell.

3. In an acetylene gas generator, the combination with a carbid receptacle embodying a carbid reservoir provided with an orifice in its bottom, a conical valve for closing such orifice, an outwardly flaring ring located below the valve and in such a position that it will receive the major portion of the charge of carbid passing the valve when this is open, and provided with means for cooperating with said valve to deliver a charge for effecting a movement of the gasometer bell, a gasometer provided with a portion for receiving the carbid receptacle, a bell, a float within the bell and controlled thereby and connections from the float to said valve for opening and closing the same.

4. In an acetylene gas generator, the combination with a carbid receptacle comprising a carbid reservoir having a downwardly directed orifice, a gravity valve for closing said orifice, said valve being located in position to move away from the orifice, incident to its gravity, a handle for carrying the receptacle, a member for holding the valve closed and having a portion located in position to be engaged by the hand holding the said handle in carrying the receptacle.

5. In an acetylene gas generator, the combination with a carbid receptacle having a carbid reservoir provided with a downwardly opening orifice, a valve for closing such orifice constructed and adapted for moving away from the same incident to gravity, a handle for carrying the receptacle, a two-part rod, one part having a portion for engaging the valve, the other part having a portion for the engagement of the hand engaging the handle, and a slidable connection between the parts, and abutment faces upon the parts, so located that an upward movement of the hand engaging portion will draw the valve engaging portion into engagement with the valve, but on reverse movement of the hand engaging portion will permit the rod sections to slide one upon the other.

6. In an acetylene gas generator, the combination with a gasometer provided with a portion for receiving a carbid receptacle, a carbid receptacle constructed and adapted for suspension in said'gasometer, such gasometer being provided with a bell, a float within the bell, the carbid receptacle being provided with a carbid reservoir provided with a downwardly opening orifice, a conical gravity valve for closing said orifice and constructed and adapted for moving away from the orifice incident to gravity, a downwardly directed valve stem carrying the valve, a connecting rod between the float and said stem, and located in position to close the valve upon the rising of the float and permit the opening of the valve upon the lowering of the float, a handle upon the upper side of the said carbid receptacle, and

'a connection between the handle and the valve for holding the valve closed when re moving the receptacle.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ADOLF MESSER. Witnesses:

JOSEPH BREELLESBACK, CHAS. LYON RUSSELL. 

